Cactaceae plant named ‘Harmony’

ABSTRACT

A plant variety of the Cactaceae family,  Schlumbergera truncata,  called ‘Harmony’ having a deep colored bloom characterized as R.H.S. 46 B (red group). The new variety has a strong resistance to bud abscission, a strong propensity for buds to mature and flower, an erect growth habit, and an ability to grow well in relatively cold temperatures.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: The new plant is aspecies of Schlumbergera truncata.

Variety denomination: The new plant's varietal denomination is‘Harmony.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of theCactaceae family. The new variety is named Schlumbergera truncata‘Harmony’. The inventor is Thomas H. Boyle, a citizen of the UnitedStates.

Many varieties of Schlumbergera truncata tend to bloom in the winter inthe Northern Hemisphere. Because of their blooming time, there is alarge market for these varieties during the Thanksgiving and Christmasseasons as a decorative plant. In fact, the common name for these plantsis Christmas Cactus.

There are many commercially developed varieties of Christmas Cactus.Patented varieties include: (‘Lavender Doll’ (Cobia, U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,690); ‘Christmas Charm’ (Cobia et al., U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,196);‘Rudolph’ (Higaki, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,234); ‘Dasher’ (Higaski, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,367); and ‘Rudolph II’ (Martens, U.S. Plant Pat. No.10,487).

For many varieties of the species, bud abscission is a problem: a largeportion of the initial buds that form on the plant fall off before theyreach full maturity. Furthermore, many cultivars possess the furtherundesirable characteristic that many of the buds that do set on theplant fail to mature and bloom. Preferred cultivars resist budabscission, as well as produce buds that have a propensity to mature.

The present variety, ‘Harmony’ was developed in Massachusetts, and is ahybrid obtained by cross pollinating flowers of ‘Twilight Tangerine’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,200) with pollen collected from flowers of ‘DarkMarie’ (a non-patented variety). ‘Harmony’ is similar to its maternalparent in branching architecture, upright habit, flower size, and flowershape. ‘Twilight Tangerine’ has light orange flowers and ‘Dark Marie’has scarlet red flowers. ‘Harmony’ differs from both parents in itsunique flower color and its tepals which do not reflex fully atmaturity, which gives the flowers a wider, more aesthetic look.Phylloclade size for ‘Harmony’ is intermediate between the two parents.‘Harmony’ exhibited excellent resistance to fungal pathogens in multiplepot plant trials conducted in Massachusetts.

‘Harmony’ resists bud abscission, as well as produces buds that have apropensity to mature. The present variety sets many buds per phyllocladeoften 2 to 3, many of which reach full maturity and bloom generally 1 to2.

This present variety is also outstanding for its propensity to grow talland upright, thus giving it a dense appearance.

The pigmented portions of the flowers of the present variety are quitedark, although portions of the white sepaloid tube are visible whenflowers are mature as well as the white basal portions of the blades.The pigmentation in the sepals of the new variety falls in the RedGroup, with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society of London'sColor Chart.

TABLE 1 Comparison Chart of Flower Pigmentation Color ‘Camillia’‘Harmony’ Unpatented New Variety commercial var. Mature Flower R.H.S.46B R.H.S. 74 B (red-purple Pigmentation group) Color in Tepals Bud 1 mmin size R.H.S. 74 B (red-purple R.H.S. 59 C (red- Color grp.) purplegrp.) Medium Sized 2 mm tall ovary is 4 mm tall ovary is Bud - OvaryR.H.S. 143 C (green R.H.S. 144 A (yellow- Color group) green group)Medium Sized 7 mm tall tepals are 6 mm tall tepals are Bud - TepalR.H.S. 145 D (yellow- R.H.S. 59 C (red- Color green group) with purplegroup) R.H.S. 74 B (red - purple tips) Large Bud - 7 mm tall ovary, 6 mmtall ovary is 144 Ovary Color portions are R.H.S. A (yellow-green group)145 A (yellow-green group), and portions are R.H.S. 60A (red - purplegroup) Large Bud - 27 mm tall tepals are 21 mm tall tepals are TepalColor R.H.S. 45 B (red R.H.S. 73 A (red-purple group) grp.) Color ofmature R.H.S. 147 A (yellow- R.H.S. 137 B (green phylloclade greengroup) group) Angle of tube tube is slightly angled, w/respect to ovaryupright/same ovary axis with respect to phylloclade on which it grows‘Maria’ Unpatented ‘Prancer’ commercial var. Mature Flower R.H.S. 74B(red-purple R.H.S. 45 C Pigmentation group) Color in Tepals Bud 1 mm insize R.H.S. 74 B (red- R.H.S. 74 B (red- Color purple grp.) purple grp.)Medium Sized 5 mm tall ovary is 3 mm tall ovary is Bud - Ovary R.H.S.145 A (yellow- R.H.S. 146 C Color green group) (yellow-green group)Medium Sized 5 mm tall tepals are 6 mm tall tepals are Bud - TepalR.H.S. 74 D (red- R.H.S. 145 C Color purple grp.) (yellow-green group)with faintly purple tips Large Bud - 7 mm tall ovary is 145 9 mm tallovary is Ovary Color A (yellow-green 145 B (yellow-green group) group)Large Bud - 20 mm tall tepals are 22 mm tall tepals are Tepal ColorR.H.S. 74 B (red- R.H.S. 74 C (red- purple grp.) purple grp.) Color ofmature phylloclade Angle of tube tube is very angled, w/respect toalmost 90 degrees ovary to ovary, ovary upright/same axis on phyllalce

The pigmented portion of most of the blades of the sepaloid tepals, thetube laminating tepals, and the tube forming tepals is R.H.S. 46B (redgroup), while in the remaining portions of the tepals, the pigmentationdecreases in intensity.

Because the buds of the new variety have a greater propensity to mature,when grown under the proper conditions, at least one bud and often 2buds per phylloclade will mature and bloom.

The distinguishing characteristics of the new variety are retained byasexually reproduced, successive generations.

In addition, the new variety also possesses the additional commerciallydesirable characteristics of:

-   -   1. a strong propensity to branch with minimal pruning, resulting        in a dense appearance;    -   2. erect stems, resulting in an upright appearance;

The inventor has asexually reproduced the new variety at a commercialnursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. through three successive generations bycuttings, and has found that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed remain firmly fixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings serve, by color photographic means, toillustrate the new plant variety. The colors are represented as truly aspossible using conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a number of plants grown from a numberof cuttings in one pot of the new variety illustrating the overallappearance and form of the plant, and the abundance of blooms.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing a side view of a fully opened bloomof the new variety on the plant.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph a fully opened bloom of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of blooms in various stages of developmentremoved from a plant of the new variety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph of a bloom removed from the plant that hashad its sepaloid series of tepals removed, some of which are shown nextto the bloom.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph of a mature bloom removed from the plant,showing the highly reflexed tepals, and exposed stamens and style.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph of a mature bloom removed from the plantthat has its outer tepals removed and then sectioned to show theinterior of the ovary.

FIG. 8 shows a style and stamens of the present variety removed from theplant.

FIG. 9 is a color photograph of three phylloclades removed from theplant, showing buds growing from the apex of the phylloclades.

FIG. 10 is a color photograph of two phylloclades removed from theplant, showing buds growing from the apex of the phylloclades.

FIG. 11 is color photograph of two phylloclades, looking down on theapexes of the phylloclades.

FIG. 12 is a color photograph of a single plant removed from its soilthat grew from a single phylloclade cutting.

FIG. 13 is a color photograph of a single plant removed from its soil,and with many of its branches removed, that was propagated from a singlephylloclade cutting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety. The newvariety has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. Color designation and other values stated may deviateslightly from the stated values from flowering to flowering, but thedeviations will be within the range expected from varying environmental,seasonal and cultural conditions. Color designations were made accordingto the R.H.S. Color Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Societyof London, England.

The plants observed were grown in 6 inch pots. The tops of the plantsobserved were approximately 22 to 28 cm above the soil level. Thefollowing description is based on observations of optimally fertilizedplants grown at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. The plants weremature. The plants were approximately 14 months old. Temperatures inHalf Moon Bay on average range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in thesummer months, and from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the wintermonths.

DETAILED PLANT DESCRIPTION

-   Name: Schlumbergera truncata ‘Harmony’.-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Cactaceae.        -   Tribe.—Cereus (Cacteae).        -   Genus.—Schlumbergera.        -   Species.—Schlumbergera truncate (Haw.) Moran [Epiphyllum            truncatum Haw.; Zygocactus truncates (Haw.) K. Schum.].            Bailey and Bailey and the staff of the Bailey Hortorium,            Hortus Third (1976).        -   Commercial.—Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus.-   Form: Epiphytic, shade-loving, succulent, leafless plant with    jointed and branched stems.-   Stems:    -   -   General.—Irregular with much branching (especially when            pinched) of upright, adventitiously rootable, flattened            phylloclades that have a prominent midrib (especially in            phylloclades at the base of mature plants) and prominently            toothed lateral wings. Branching can be encouraged in the            plant by pinching the top phyllocade.        -   Phylloclades.—General: The phylloclades are obovate to            oblong, elongated and flattened (particularly when young)            and have a transversely elongated, aerole bearing, truncated            apex. From the transversely elongated apex, the wing margins            generally run straight or taper slightly to the basal            portions (or occasionally they flare outwardly somewhat,            where they then taper and merge through a pointed, basal            juncture with the phylloclade therebelow. The margins are            also toothed and an axillary aerole is associated with each            tooth. Size: Length — Mature phylloclades that are over a            year old are usually between 45 mm and 53 mm. Width — Mature            phylloclades that are over a year old are usually 25 mm to            35 mm. Thickness — Basal phylloclades with up to three            levels of phylloclades above them can be as thick as 1 cm at            the midrib. Young phylloclades are as thick as 3 to 4 mm at            the center, and tapering to 1 mm near the edges. Color:            Mature phylloclades are predominantly R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), while young phylloclades are            predominantly R.H.S. 146 A (yellow-green group). Midrib:            General — Extends longitudinally of phylloclade and            continuously through joints with laterally tapering cortex            at wing insections. Pith surrounds the vascular bundles that            branch and provide lateral extensions of the vascular system            to marginal teeth. Texture — Smooth, waxy epidermis with wax            in small embedded scales and becoming corky in basal stem            areas with age. Wings: General shape — Generally flattened            from midrib cortex to tooth insertions with slight thinning            taper toward margins. Margins — Toothed (modified leaves).            Texture — Succulent to leathery with smooth, waxy epidermis            having wax arranged in small embedded scales and becoming            corky in basal plant areas with age.        -   Teeth.—General shape — Generally flattened and tapering            along margins from wing insertion to an apex, having a            hyaline, pointed spine with nonpredicatable bending. Adaxial            margin shape: Generally concave, so that teeth project            generally distally of the phylloclade base in an alternate            arrangement, but also with both straight and convex adaxial            margin tendencies. Abaxial margin shape: Irregular with            tendencies toward straight to convex. Tooth Margins: Entire.            Texture — Succulent to leathery with a smooth waxy epidermis            having wax in small embedded scales and becoming corky in            basal plant areas with age. Number — Usually 3 to 4 on each            side. Size — Teeth of mature phylloclades are 1 mm thick at            insertion point with wings. Areole to apex dimension            (adaxial margin side): usually 3 to 8 mm in length.        -   Areoles.—Terminal areole — Large, compound, elongated,            oval-shaped with several acicular bristles, copious            multi-cellular hairs, and several buds that may mature into            either new phylloclades or flowers. The opposite ends of the            areole are located adjacent to subsidiary areoles which are            in turn located at the axils of the uppermost teeth located            at the distal end of the of phylloclade. Axillary aeroles —            Acicular bristles without glochidia but having copious,            short, R.H.S 199D (grey-brown group), to colorless,            multi-cellular hairs. Areoles are sometimes found in the            basal portion of the phylloclade in association with a            vestigial tooth that is less than 1 mm in length (Vestigial            teeth not considered in teeth number or length of teeth.)-   Buds: Unarmored and ovoid, without spines or barbs, generally R.H.S.    74B (red — purple group)). Buds grow quickly into flowers. When they    first become apparent they are typically 1 mm wide by 1 mm long.-   Flowers:    -   -   General.—Sessile, zygomorphic, usually in pairs, triplets or            solitary, terminal, perfect, and epigynous with double            hypanthium and tepals (undifferentiated whorled sepals and            petals) having a spiral emergence as a perianth provided            with a sepaloid series of free tepals, a tube laminating            series of tepals, and a tube forming series of united            tepals. Plants typically bloom once a year in the winter and            are easily forced to bloom with the blooming period lasting            three weeks and individual flowers blooming for about two            weeks.        -   Sepaloid series of tepals.—General: Free tepals inserted on            top of the ovary. Shape: Deltoid in outer members of the            whorl and grading inwardly on the whorl to tepals which are            ovate and less frequently elliptical. Tips are broadly            acuminate with some acute tendencies, and margins are entire            with sparse irregular teeth appearing mainly in the apex            areas. Texture: Succulent and glabrous outer whorl members            and grading inwardly in the whorl to silken blades with            fleshy basal areas. Number: Usually 7 to 9. Size (at full            bloom): Base-tip dimension — 5 mm to 26 mm. Width dimension            — 5 mm to 14 mm. Color: The sepaloid series of tepals are            predominantly R.H.S. 53 A (red group) with only small basal            portions lacking pigment, if at all. The interface between            pigmented upper portion and the non-pigmented lower portion,            and the attachment interface to the ovary can be R.H.S. 74 A            (red-purple group). The outermost and smallest tepals can            have R.H.S. 147 B (yellow-green group) bases. The outermost            and smallest tepals can also tend toward R.H.S. 74 A            (red-purple group).        -   Tube laminating series of tepals.—General: Tepals inserted            on ovary and basally united below the throat as outer            laminations on the perianth tube and with progressively            greater amounts of basal fusion inwardly in the whorl.            Shape: Grading inwardly in the whorl with progressively            longer base-tip dimensions and with blade areas changing            inwardly from ovate to broadly elliptical and with acute            tips. Entire margins with sparse irregular teeth mainly in            apex areas. Texture: Succulent, slightly fleshly basal areas            with silken blades. Number: 6 to 11. Size (at full bloom):            Base-tip dimensions — 35 mm to 55 mm. Width dimension — 15            and 20 mm. Color: The margins and distal ends of the tube            laminating series of sepals are R.H.S. 46 B (red group) on            both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The central, basal            portions of these tepals lack pigment. The attachment            interface to the tube can be R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple group).        -   Tube forming series of tepals.—General: Tepals basally            united to form a hollow perianth tube that is inserted on            ovary and equipped with a irregular carina (keel) at the            throat. Shape: Perianth tube — Elongated and ellipsoidal to            oval in cross-section. Blades — Generally elliptic to            broadly elliptic with ovate tendencies and with acuminate            tips. Entire margins with sparse, irregular teeth mainly in            apex area. Carina (keel) — Transcending and irregular.            Texture: Perianth tube — Thick, succulent, and slightly            ribbed. Blades — Translucent and silken. Carina (keel) —            Fleshy. Blade number: 5 to 8. Size (at full bloom): Base-tip            dimension — 50 mm to 70 mm. Perianth tube — Base to throat            length is 35 to 45 mm. Typical perianth tube diameter is            8 mm. Color (at full bloom): Perianth tube — R.H.S. 68 D            (red-purple group). Blades — Margins and much of the blades            at maturity are R.H.S. 46 B (red group). The inner interface            between the blades of the tube forming tepals and the tube            is R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple group). The central portions of            the blades just above the tube are R.H.S. 155 C (white            group). Orientation at full bloom: The blades of tube            forming tepals are reflexed, the tube is angled from the            axis of the ovary.        -   Androecium (stamens).—General: Numerous exerted and            diadelphous stamens with one group having filaments basally            fused to the perianth tube and the other group having            filaments basally united to form a nectary housing.            Filament: General — Translucent and glabrous with anther            connective. Shape — Long, slender and gradually tapering            from base to anther connective. Texture — Glabrous and            silken. Color — Translucent white R.H.S. 155D (white group).            Number — approximately 80. Size (at full bloom) — Length: 40            mm to 65 mm. Anthers: Shape — Rod shaped. Size — 1 mm long.            Texture — Course or grainy. Color (pollen color) — R.H.S. 10            C (yellow group).        -   Gynoecium (pistil).—General: Compound, parietal placentation            with united style surrounded by an annular diffuse nectary            at its insertion. Style: General — Stout and inserted in            ovary. Shape — Elongated. Texture — Fleshy and glabrous.            Color — R.H.S. 46 B (red group) just below stigma, changing            to 71 B (red-purple group) at its base. Size (at full bloom)            — 65 mm long. Stigma: General — Exserted and erect with            anywhere from 4 to 7 inner marginally adhering lobes. Shape            — Elongated and tapering toward lobe tips and having            relatively blunt apices. Texture — Fleshy and smooth with            short glutinous hairs. Color — R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple            group). Size — 4 mm long. Ovary: General — Thin epidermis            and distally located concavity, and with a single cavity            usually having 6 or 7 carpels with numerous ovules. Shape —            Terete to ovoid and generally broadening from insertion to            floral end. Texture — Succulent and glabrous with thin outer            epidermis.        -   Fruit.—Generally flowers wither and become desiccated along            with the ovary and together they fall of the plant without            having produced fruit.

1. A new and distinct variety of Cactaceae plant, substantially asherein shown and described.